Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides

Claim This Podcast

by TechtoExec by Sharon (Shaz) Daly

23 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇦🇺

Podcast Overview

On the Mic…WIT Shaz is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement - Dedicated to inspiring and empowering more women in tech to enter into & remain in C-suite, Exec and leadership roles and to encourage this we need to be talking more about the UPSIDES of being in tech leadership roles. The more we talk about positive impact, the more we attract more positive impact!! What to expect? 🎙️ Each week I sit down with incredible humans in tech leadership who keep it real — no sugar-coating, just raw, honest stories. From zig-zag career paths to turning rejection into redirection.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

9/2/2025

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

1 verified contact email on file for On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

July 10, 2026

Episode 23: Starting Again Without Losing Yourself by Hajra Parveen Akhtar

There are moments in our careers where the biggest obstacle isn't our technical capability, our experience or even the opportunities available to us. It's the quiet story we've been telling ourselves all along. In this episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I'm joined by Hajra Parveen Akhtar, Principal Technical Consultant at DXC Technology, Azure DevOps specialist, mentor and passionate advocate for helping others see what's possible. What begins with a funny story about arriving in Australia and misunderstanding what "afternoon tea" meant quickly unfolds into a heartfelt conversation about starting over, navigating unfamiliar cultures, overcoming rejection and finding the confidence to build a career without losing yourself along the way. Hajra openly shares what it was really like arriving in Australia believing her technical experience would naturally open doors, only to discover that rebuilding confidence, understanding workplace culture and learning to truly belong were just as important as her technical skills. Together we unpack the stories we tell ourselves, how fear quietly shapes our decisions and why confidence is something we build through action rather than something we wait to feel. This podcast exists to shine a light on the women shaping the future of technology, not because their journeys have been perfect, but because their experiences help others realise what's possible. Hajra's honesty, humour and generosity remind us that every challenge carries an upside when we're willing to stay curious, keep learning and continue taking the next small step. In this episode we explore:<ul><li>Moving countries and rebuilding a career from the ground up.</li><li>The cultural surprises that come with starting a new life in Australia.</li><li>Why technical skills alone aren't enough to build a successful career.</li><li>The difference between fitting in and truly belonging.</li><li>Breaking cultural barriers while staying authentic to yourself.</li><li>Why our brains naturally collect "data" about people and how we can choose to respond differently.</li><li>The fear of rejection and how it quietly influences career decisions.</li><li>Self-sabotage, limiting beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves.</li><li>Why waiting for confidence is holding more people back than lack of capability.</li><li>How humour became one of Hajra's greatest leadership strengths.</li><li>Small actions that create lasting confidence over time.</li><li>Mentoring migrant women in technology and creating greater opportunities for others.</li></ul>The Upsides from this episode✨ Sometimes the biggest career breakthrough begins with changing the story you tell yourself.✨ Belonging doesn't require becoming someone else, it starts with embracing who you already are.✨ Confidence isn't something you find before you act. It grows because you're willing to take the first step.✨ Every rejection carries information that can shape your next opportunity.✨ Humour has the power to build connection, break down barriers and make leadership more human.✨ Small, consistent actions will always outperform waiting for the "perfect" moment.✨ Your background isn't something to overcome, it's something that strengthens the perspective you bring.✨ One person's courage to go first creates possibility for countless others. Get in touch with Hajra:LinkedIn: <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/hajra-parveen-akhtar-b33428138" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">linkedin.com/in/hajra-parveen-akhtar-b33428138</a>Tech Sisters Global Community: <a href="https://www.tech-sisters.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tech-sisters.com/</a> Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="http://www.techtoexec.com.au" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.techtoexec.com.au</a>LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/</a>Instagram: @techtoexec <a href="https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/</a>Facebook: TechtoExec <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/</a> Join the TechtoExec Community<a href="https://techtoexec.com.au/techtoexec-community/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://techtoexec.com.au/techtoexec-community/</a> 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone navigating their own journey in technology. Every conversation helps another person realise what's possible.

Episode thumbnail for Episode 22: Finding an Environment That Values What You Bring Instead of Spending Years Trying to Prove Yourself to the Wrong Room

June 4, 2026

Episode 22: Finding an Environment That Values What You Bring Instead of Spending Years Trying to Prove Yourself to the Wrong Room

Yi is a strategy consultant who believes ambition shouldn’t be softened to be acceptable. She consistently chooses courage over comfort. As a woman in tech from an Asian background, she knows how rare it is to see someone who looks like you openly say, “I want to rise to the top” and mean it. She’s still early in her career, figuring it out in real time, but doing it visibly, so maybe someone watching this podcast thinks: “If she can say it out loud, maybe I can too.” We often hear that confidence is the key to career growth. But what happens when you're simultaneously carrying big boss energy and wondering if you're doing enough? In this episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz: Women in Tech Leadership – The Upsides, I chat with strategic advisor Yi Jin to explore the realities behind ambition, self-doubt, leadership and growth. From growing up in a Chinese household to navigating corporate environments, Yi shares how cultural values shaped her decision-making, resilience and leadership aspirations. She talks candidly about balancing the belief that she can conquer the world while also questioning whether she's learning fast enough. What stood out most during this conversation wasn't just Yi's clarity of direction. It was her unwavering belief that no matter what happens, she will always get better. Together we unpack:<ul><li>Why reducing social media scrolling created space for growth</li><li>The books helping Yi become a better communicator and leader</li><li>How cultural navigation becomes a leadership advantage</li><li>Why internal validation matters more than external validation</li><li>The perspective shift that helps overcome self-doubt</li><li>How to make decisions when you don't have all the information</li><li>Why difficult conversations are leadership training in disguise</li><li>How rejection often redirects you to something better</li><li>The importance of finding environments that value what you bring</li><li>Why being selective with your energy is a career superpower</li></ul> One of Yi's most powerful reflections was this:"You can spend years trying to prove yourself to the wrong room. Or you can find the environment that values what you bring and put your energy there." For anyone questioning whether they're ready for the next step, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn't come from having all the answers.It comes from trusting yourself enough to take the next step anyway. Yi's Upsides✨ Strategic thinker with exceptional self-awareness✨ Deep curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning✨ Ability to bridge Eastern and Western perspectives✨ Strong decision-making even in uncertainty✨ Focused, intentional and highly disciplined✨ Values-led leadership approach✨ Believes in lifting others as she climbs✨ Turns rejection into growth and opportunity✨ Understands that leadership starts from within Favourite Quotes"If they're willing to pay you to do it, they've already decided you're capable.""The ultimate belief is that I will always get better.""You can spend years trying to prove yourself to the wrong room.""Being busy isn't the goal. Being deliberate is.""Girl, if not you, who?" Books Mentioned📖 Poor Charlie's Almanack📖 Nonviolent Communication Connect & CollaborateIf this conversation resonated with you, share it with another woman in tech who needs the reminder that she doesn't need permission to take up space. Get in touch with Yi Jin:LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yijin666/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/yijin666/</a> Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="http://www.techtoexec.com.au">www.techtoexec.com.au</a>LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/</a>Instagram: @techtoexec <a href="https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/">https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/</a>Facebook: TechtoExec <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/">https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/</a> Join the MOVEMENT<a href="https://techtoexec.com.au/the-movement/">https://techtoexec.com.au/the-movement/</a>

May 22, 2026

Episode 21: The Leaders Who Make You Feel Capable | with Emma Greco

With over 25 years of IT experience, Emma brings deep expertise across energy, utilities, retail and wagering. A Monash University Bachelor of Information Systems graduate. She has delivered high‑profile initiatives including smart meter rollouts, digital transformations, and banking trading platform integrations alongside platform management. Known for strong people leadership and an ability to translate complex business needs into seamless, customer‑centric solutions. At Sportsbet, Emma is currently Head of Technology, focusing on the betting platform, risk technology, and engineering enablement portfolios. Beyond work, she is an active advocate for women in tech, keynote speaker, mentor, and industry contributor. Some people walk into a room with big energy. Emma Greco walks into a room with calm certainty. The kind that makes people feel safe to speak, safe to learn and safe to not have everything figured out yet. In this episode of On the Mic WIT Shaz, Emma shares the real story behind her career across utilities, banking, betting and large-scale technology transformation but what stood out most wasn’t the titles... It was the way she talks about people and about… <ul><li>Taking walks at lunchtime because sitting at your desk trying to “look busy” is actually draining your brain.</li><li>Learning not to panic if you’re running late because “life keeps going.”</li><li>Creating psychological safety in teams by simply letting people be human.</li><li>Supporting women in tech because she remembers exactly what it felt like being one of only four women in her university course.</li></ul> There’s also a moment in this conversation where Emma shares that throughout her career, she secretly kept notes on every leader she worked with. <ul><li>The leaders who made people feel safe.</li><li>The ones who made people shrink.</li><li>The qualities she admired.</li><li>The leadership styles she never wanted to repeat.</li></ul> Years later, she found the notebook again while moving house.And realised she had slowly become the kind of leader she once hoped to have herself.That moment alone is worth listening for. This episode is full of the kind of conversation we actually need more of in tech leadership spaces:<ul><li>honest</li><li>practical</li><li>thoughtful</li><li>warm</li><li>funny in parts</li><li>and deeply relatable if you’ve ever questioned yourself in your career</li></ul> Emma also shares: ✨ why curiosity has been the biggest driver in her career longevity ✨ her thoughts on AI and why fear is the wrong mindset✨ how she protects her energy as a leader ✨ the importance of taking space to think ✨ why she believes leadership should feel supportive, not performative✨ and how mentoring women in tech became deeply personal to her One of my favourite lines from Emma in this episode: “This is not a problem. We just haven’t found the right solution yet.” Honestly… that feels like a life lesson, not just a leadership one. And that’s why this podcast exists. Not for polished leadership scripts but for real conversations with women who are actually living it. 🎧 Listen now. Get in touch with Emma:LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-greco-au/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-greco-au/</a> Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="http://www.techtoexec.com.au">www.techtoexec.com.au</a>LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/</a>Instagram: @techtoexec <a href="https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/">https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/</a>Facebook: TechtoExec <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/">https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/</a> Join the MOVEMENT<a href="https://techtoexec.com.au/the-movement/">https://techtoexec.com.au/the-movement/</a>

23 total episodes available

Similar Podcasts

Discover related shows you might enjoy

Hamish & Andy

LiSTNR

Chanticleer

Australian Financial Review

Deep-dive analytics for On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides?: On the Mic…WIT Shaz is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement - Dedicated to inspiring and empowering more women in tech to enter into & remain in C-suite, Exec and leadership roles and to encourage this we need to be talking more about the UPSIDES of being in tech leadership roles.

The more we talk about positive impact, the more we attract more positive impact!!

What to expect?

🎙️ Each week I sit down with incredible humans in tech leadership who keep it real — no sugar-coating, just raw, honest stories. From zig-zag career paths to turning rejection into redirection.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.